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programs, tours and events

AT ROOKERY BAY RESERVE

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and offers a two-story visitor center, art
gallery, gift shop and nature trail with viewing platform. Themed naturalist programs offered daily on topics such as manatees, sharks, sea
turtles, marine life touch tank and more. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6 – 12, and free for kids under six and
Friends of Rookery Bay members. Located at 300 Tower Road, one mile south of the intersection of US41 and Collier Boulevard. Learn
more, or register for events, at rookerybay.org.

Guided Boat and Kayak Tours 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned
Two-hour guided kayak tours let you explore backwater bays and for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students. Cost is $55,
mangrove tunnels while learning about your surroundings from an registration is required.
experienced guide and naturalist. Tours provide opportunities to see
wildlife such as wading birds, osprey, fish and dolphins. Tours include February 18, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
free admission to the Environmental Learning Center on day of trip and Birds of the Beach
proceeds support the non-profit Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc. Kayak Southwest Florida is a critical stopover site for thousands of migrating
and boat tours are offered Tuesdays through Fridays from November and wintering shorebirds. In this class, Adam DiNuovo of Audubon
through April. Florida will discuss the life history of these birds and the amazing
journeys many of them make annually. Winter shorebirds are notoriously
February 2, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. difficult to ID, so practicing the skills learned in this class is essential.
World Wetlands Day BOGO You will learn how to use plumage, size, and behavior to help with
In celebration of the birthday of evolutionary biologist Charles identification. The classroom session will be followed by a trip to Tigertail
Darwin, the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center offers Beach, one of the most important winter shorebird sites in Florida, where
“buy one, get one free admission.” Higher price prevails. Cannot be we will see many of the birds discussed. This class is geared toward those
combined with other offers. with some birding experience. If you are new to birding, you may want to
try our Birding Basics class first. Cost is $40, registration is required.
February 2, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Gallery Opening Reception February 20 – 24, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Friends of Rookery Bay and the United Arts Council of Collier Drawing Flowers in Colored Pencil
County present the Annual Photography Exhibition from January 31 Learn how to realistically draw flowers in colored pencil. This class is
through March 30, with works submitted by artists from Collier and based on Lee Hammond’s best selling books. In five days, you will learn
Lee counties. Following Rookery Bay’s environmental mission, works everything you need to know to draw proficiently in colored pencil no
will share a central theme of flora and fauna. Most of the works are for experience required. This class will make you a master at various colored
sale. The Opening Reception will feature wine and light hors d’oeuvres. pencil techniques, and capturing things realistically. Hammond has been
Admission is $3 for the public and free for participating artists and their a professional artist and art instructor for more than 30 years. She has
guest as well as members of the United Arts Council and the Friends of published more than 35 art instruction books. Cost is $395 (supplies are
Rookery Bay. not included), registration is required.

February 9, 6 - 8 p.m. February 21, 12 - 1 p.m.
Tales From The Coast: Ellen Prager Lunch and Learn: Dr. Kevin Boswell, Acoustics and Fisheries Ecology Lab
Dr. Ellen Prager is a marine scientist and author Learn about an environmental topic, and enjoy a meal, on the third
widely recognized for her expertise and ability to Tuesday of each month January through April. This year’s series focuses
make science entertaining and understandable for on research underway by scientists with Florida International University.
people of all ages. She currently works as a freelance The February lecture welcomes Dr. Boswell who is studying the role of
writer, consultant, and science advisor to Celebrity habitat (physical and hydrodynamic) in structuring coastal and marine
Xpedition in the Galapagos Islands. Her lecture will communities at various spatial and temporal scales, connectivity among
be held at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, the evenings will habitats and ecosystems and interactions across multiple trophic levels.
include beer, wine and appetizers. Admission is $25 ($20 for Friends of Lecture is $10 for Friends of Rookery Bay members and $15 for non-
Rookery Bay members), registration is required. members, includes lunch. Registration is required.
February 13, 9 a.m - 12:30 p.m. February 25, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Essentials of Digital Photography Birding Basics
If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understanding Enjoy this fun and informative class designed to help you identify
your camera’s features, the Essentials of Digital Photography: How to get birds around you. Oriented toward the beginning birder, the classroom
the most from your digital camera workshop is for you. This class covers session explores how to use birds’ plumage, shape, behavior and habitat
the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your to recognize various species. It also covers the effective use of binoculars
camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create and field guides. During the second part of the class you will learn more
images with impact and creativity. No previous camera or photography tricks of the trade during a field trip to a nearby park where you can enjoy
experience is necessary, just a desire to learn. Sonny Saunders has over practicing new skills. Cost is $40, registration is required.

Life in Naples | February 2017 69